Just remember there are millions of us veterans, retired and not, who understood and still understand the costs of what freedom is. Our voting populace relies more on the words of media rather than those that have put their lives at risk. Media has lost it's honor and integrity, but we have not. Bob Stafford
Does It Get Any Better Than This!? John Wayne Lends His Voice To This Beautiful Tribute To Our Troops
You probably know John Wayne best as an actor–as the cowboy, the lawman, the soldier, or the sharpshooter. What some of you may not know is that John Wayne was an avid supporter of our troops throughout his life. In 1966, Wayne even traveled to Vietnam to spend time with our brave soldiers. His support doesn’t stop there, however.
In the video below, you’ll find not only a beautiful tribute to our troops over the years, but you’ll hear Wayne’s distinct voice reading the beloved, “Why Are You Marching, Son?”. The result: something both powerful, and nostalgic.
by Kayla M. Miller
Veterans, people that sacrificed their
lives for me and for their country! I appreciate veterans everyday of the year,
because they protected my freedoms so I may live in a free country. Another
reason I appreciate veterans is because one of my loved ones was in the Vietnam
War. One last reason I truly appreciate America’s veterans is because they accepted
the challenge to serve our country at any time and place.
I would like to thank our veterans for their service. I
would also like to thank my grandfather. My grandfather was a soldier who
protected the skies from aircraft during the Vietnam War. My grandfather was
recruited by the United States Army at the age of 18. He had no idea what to
expect and was afraid of what he thought the enemy was going to do with him. My
grandfather said the military was one experience that he will never forget.
He
said being in the war made him realize how lucky he was to be born in this
country, America. My grandfather is still alive today, and he said if he could
do it all over again he would. He would because he loves his country. He
learned and grew in appreciation for his freedom from his military experience. When
he looks at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, his eyes fill with tears.
“Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend
America and uphold our values when duty called.” ~ Bill Shuster. Our veterans
came out to protect America even at the hardest times. Many missed watching their
children take their first steps. Some had to delay marriages.
Veterans missed
holidays and other special events with family. This is one thing that I would
have a very tough time doing so I especially appreciate this selflessness in
Veterans. Serving in the war or protecting our country in times of peace is one
of the hardest jobs in the world.
I want my veterans to know how much I really appreciate
their service for our country. It is truly because of veterans that I am able
and proud to say I live in this free country, America. These are the main
reasons I appreciate you!
Thank all of you
Kayla M. Miller
Airline
Captain.............
My
lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. on this
flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.)
"Are they
military?" I asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I've already
assigned him a seat'.
'Yes, I've already
assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to
come to the Flight Deck. You can board him early," I said...
come to the Flight Deck. You can board him early," I said...
A short while later a young
army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the
perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him
about his soldier.
army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the
perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him
about his soldier.
The escorts of these fallen
soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with
us. 'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He
proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with
us. 'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He
proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was
anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had
the toughest job in the military, and that I appreciated the work that he
does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and
I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the Flight Deck
to find his seat.
anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had
the toughest job in the military, and that I appreciated the work that he
does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and
I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the Flight Deck
to find his seat.
We completed our preflight
checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30
minutes into our flight, I received a call from the lead flight attendant
in the cabin.
checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30
minutes into our flight, I received a call from the lead flight attendant
in the cabin.
'I just found out the family
of the soldier we are carrying, is also on board', she said. She
then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old
daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The
family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the
soldier was in before we left.
We were on our way to a
major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the
connecting flight home to Virginia . The father of the soldier told
the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo
compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the
family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was
anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our
arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch
the soldier being taken off the airplane.
of the soldier we are carrying, is also on board', she said. She
then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old
daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The
family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the
soldier was in before we left.
We were on our way to a
major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the
connecting flight home to Virginia . The father of the soldier told
the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo
compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the
family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was
anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our
arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch
the soldier being taken off the airplane.
I could hear the desperation
in the flight attendant’s voice when she asked me if there was anything I
could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to
her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs
in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system
and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio.
There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects
you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the
dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family
and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he
would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard
from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to
know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an
update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the
following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long
to get back to you. There is policy on this now, and I had to check
on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet
the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane
side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van
for the family.
in the flight attendant’s voice when she asked me if there was anything I
could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to
her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs
in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system
and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio.
There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects
you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the
dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family
and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he
would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard
from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to
know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an
update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the
following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long
to get back to you. There is policy on this now, and I had to check
on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet
the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane
side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van
for the family.
The family will be taken to
their departure area and escorted into the terminal, where the remains can
be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only.
When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the
ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg
home.
their departure area and escorted into the terminal, where the remains can
be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only.
When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the
ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg
home.
Captain, most of us here in
flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the
family. Thanks.
I sent a message back, telling flight
control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it
to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead
flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much
this will mean to them.'
flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the
family. Thanks.
I sent a message back, telling flight
control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it
to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead
flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much
this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy
for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we
cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge
with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy
area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit.
When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were
told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a
team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it
was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt
sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from
getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the
copilot to tell the ramp controller, we were going to stop short of the
gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the
ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the
aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address
button and said:
for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we
cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge
with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy
area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit.
When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were
told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a
team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it
was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt
sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from
getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the
copilot to tell the ramp controller, we were going to stop short of the
gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the
ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the
aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address
button and said:
'Ladies and gentleman, this is your
Captain speaking: I have stopped short of our gate to make a special
announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor
and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost
his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold.
Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his
father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is
asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to
exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
Captain speaking: I have stopped short of our gate to make a special
announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor
and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost
his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold.
Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his
father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is
asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to
exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the
gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple
of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward
flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told
that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in
their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly
started to clap his hands. Moments later, more passengers joined in
and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You',
I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the
family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the
airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with
their loved one.
started to clap his hands. Moments later, more passengers joined in
and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You',
I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the
family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the
airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with
their loved one.
Many of the passengers
disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were
just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing
I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all
of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men
and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United
States of AMERICA.
of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men
and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United
States of AMERICA.
Foot note:
I know everyone who reads
this will have tears in their eyes, including me. Prayer chain for
our Military... Don't break it! Please send this on after a short
prayer for our service men and women.
this will have tears in their eyes, including me. Prayer chain for
our Military... Don't break it! Please send this on after a short
prayer for our service men and women.
Don't break it!
They die for me and
mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and respect.
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as
they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need... In Jesus Name, Amen.'
they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need... In Jesus Name, Amen.'
The history of the vietnam war was a military conflict that occurred in vietnam, laos and also in Cambodia. This conflict lasted from 1959 to the 30 of april on 1975. The war was fought between North Vietnam who were supported by it's communist allies, and the South Vietnam was supported by the United states and other members of the S.E.A.T.O. (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) The war started because of the domino theory, the U.S. said that if vietnam goes communist that all the other countries around it are going to fall with it and become communist too. That's why the U.S. got involved because they wanted to prevent the vietnam from falling and bebecomingommunist! the results came out to North Vietnam winning the war and they went communist and the U.S. could of saved money if they wouldn't of got involved in this conflict and they would of saved a bunch of lives. Communist ended taking over south vietnam, Cambodia and Laos!
Vietnam War Part 1
Vietnam War Part 2
I have been compiling a list for proposals aimed at resolving the POW/MIA issue by achieving the fullest Possible Accounting. This letter is being forwarded to the Committee on Mismanagement of Prisoner-of-War (POW/MIA) Accounting. You can probably imagine that I gained a great deal of experience on this issue while serving on the Four Party Joint Military Team (FPJMT) during the ceasefire. I also served as the Chief of the US Office for POW/MIA Affairs in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) Vietnam after the war ended. I spent some 12 years in the search and recovery effort and some 359 Americans were recovered, repatriated and identified during the time that I worked on the issue. What is going on now in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is one of several reasons I chose to salute and go home.
My personal view is that so long as we are willing to be extorted (milked) for large sums of cash going to the Vietnam Communist Party (VCP) POW/MIA Chapter (yes, they do have one, just like Wal-Mart in China), we will never resolve the issue. If we keep financing the General Political Directorate (GPD) there will be no incentive on the part of the VCP to provide an accounting. On the other hand, however, if the VCP collapses, the Vietnamese people will provide genuine cooperation in resolving the issue. Unfortunately however, the non-repentant GPD and Central Military Commission in Hanoi are be reluctant to afford genuine cooperation on this sensitive issue, because in their eyes we have not settled our “blood debt”.
Rather than dangerous and expensive search operations, what we desperately need now is the conduct of professional investigations of missing persons cases applicable to those cases wherein the missing, or otherwise unaccounted-for personnel were last known to be alive, especially in those cases where the missing men were in the actual physical custody of communist forces.
Communists cringe every time someone says “the Viet Cong won the war and America lost.” They know we killed 1.3 million of their personnel and we bombed North and Central Vietnam to shambles. The During our long war with Hanoi, Communist forces suffered 300,000 personnel “Killed-in-Action, Body-not-Recovered” (KIA/BNR). Today, some 150,000 bodies of Communist personnel remain unrecovered.
There has been so much violence and bloodshed between the United States and its Allies and the Communists in Vietnam that I doubt we will change negative attitudes and hatred any time in the near future and most likely until far into the future. I realize that there is little or no animosity between the SRV civilian citizens. But this is not true for members of the VCP.
I believe the only way we can ever resolve the issue is to change our position on all WWII cases and categorize them as inactive, if for no other reason based on the passage of time. The same criteria should apply for cases in Vietnam where there is adequate information, even including in some cases, American citizen witnesses.
Concerning losses in deep ocean, or high speed, sharp angle impacts into remote, mountainous terrain, I believe it is incredibly ingenious to risk the lives of additional American personnel in order to go look for bones, especially when the United States Government (USG) is being gouged for millions of dollars annually for rental costs for the unsafe, obsolete, Communist supplied aircraft. You are probably aware that one Russian helicopter carrying a joint team of US/Vietnam remains specialists from JPAC, crashed into a mountain in Central Vietnam killing everyone on board. Had I extended my assignment in Vietnam any longer it is quite likely that I would have been killed along with the others.
After having contemplated the current POW/MIA situation at considerable length I have gradually come to the conclusion that the only way to successfully resolve the remaining cases is to have all parties agree to and carefully implement a completely transparent program designed to a address the issue of casualty resolution as being an entirely humanitarian issue.
All documentation and reporting on the POW/MIA program must be declassified and transparency on the part of all parties involved will be mandatory, with consequences for parties that violate or exploit the humanitarian program. In resolving casualties, rather than pressure the U.S. Government to pay exorbitant sums for a huge cast of laborers and specialists and require the U.S. Government to hand over cash, the USG should partner with Nongovernment Organizations to do field work to investigate the loss incidents of U.S. personnel unaccounted-for throughout former Indochina.
Garnett “Bill” Bell
4209 Boys Ranch Road
Lavaca, AR 72941-4726
Korean War Photo Gallery
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